Part III: Grace

What I originally planned for part III

It's okay. Grace.

Let it go. Grace

Your community will understand. Grace.

Grace had a funny way of smacking me over the head last night. The productive weekend I planned fell apart and nothing was going right. We're in a global pandemic, but damnit, I was going to finish the reflection workbook I planned to launch today. P.S. I'm so excited about it! 

I was almost in tears venting about all the things I needed to get done today and stressing about finding the time when Levi said: Alli, it's okay. They will understand.

I'm not so self-absorbed to think that you are sitting there waiting for my workbook to arrive in your inbox, but I am a recovering perfectionist and I HATE feeling like I'm going back on my word. I cringe when I think about disappointing people. 

But today, I'm learning an important lesson - it's important that I give grace to myself and others. 

The truth is, everyone is doing their best, especially right now. 

Our worlds have been turned upside down. Sometimes we are thriving. And sometimes it feels like we can't catch our breath. 

Your kid that is crying and frustrated about distance learning. He/she needs grace. 

Your husband who snapped at you because he's stressed about fitting more work into less time. He needs grace. 

The delivery woman, who is working overtime, accidentally left one item off your Instacart order. She needs grace. 

And most importantly, YOU need G-R-A-C-E. Lots of it.

We cheer ourselves on for the achievements and constant doing, but we're sooo hard on ourselves when we can't complete something...or when a global pandemic decimates your normal routine and workflow. Granted, we're all learning to adapt, but grace still has its place.

Right now, I'm offering us all grace. Take that in along with a deep breath. 

Yes, I will complete this workbook, and yes, it will probably be this week, and yes, I'm looking forward to it. Most importantly, I'm not going to be beat myself up about it and neither should you.

Thank you for extending grace to me in this moment. 

Alli, it's okay.